Can The Mass Forgive Mortal Sins?

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I asked this question in the “Ask an Apologist” forum about a month ago, but since I have yet to recieve an answer, I’ll posit it to the rest of youse guys:

A friend of mine states that many years ago when he was suffering a severe bout of scrupulosity, he had occasion to speak by phone to a renowned and popular, but very orthodox, Catholic priest/ theologian (now deceased) about a problem he was having. As I understand it, in the course of conversation he asked this theologian if attending Mass (without receiving Holy Communion) were sufficient for being forgiven for mortal sin until the time of his next confession. The theologian, perhaps attempting to give him a pastoral answer to help relieve the anxiety caused by his scrupulosity, answered in the affirmative; that, yes, attending Mass (without receiving Holy Communion) were sufficient for being forgiven for mortal sin until the time of his next confession would absolve him from his sins.

We all know that if one is properly disposed, etc, the attendance at Mass effects the forgiveness of venial sin, so we don’t need to get into that – but properly speaking, can this in any way or under any condition be applied to *mortal sins *as well?
 
No,

only a confession or a ‘perfect act of contrition’ can forgive a mortal sin.
 
Hi wcknight,

Isn’t it referred to as an act of perfect contrition?

Peace,
Jacobaer
 
Hi fidelis,

Are you sure that it is just attendance at Mass? I thought the Catechism states that the reception of the Eucharist washes away our venial sins (and fortifies us against committing mortal sins).

Peace,
Jacobaer
 
jacobaer said:
Hi fidelis,

Are you sure that it is just attendance at Mass? I thought the Catechism states that the reception of the Eucharist washes away our venial sins (and fortifies us against committing mortal sins).

Peace,
Jacobaer
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Sorry to not be clearer on that part of the question. I would include Holy Communion as part of that as well.
 
Fidelis said:
I asked this question in the “Ask an Apologist” forum about a month ago, but since I have yet to recieve an answer, I’ll posit it to the rest of youse guys:

A friend of mine states that many years ago when he was suffering a severe bout of scrupulosity, he had occasion to speak by phone to a renowned and popular, but very orthodox, Catholic priest/ theologian (now deceased) about a problem he was having. As I understand it, in the course of conversation he asked this theologian if attending Mass (without receiving Holy Communion) were sufficient for being forgiven for mortal sin until the time of his next confession. The theologian, perhaps attempting to give him a pastoral answer to help relieve the anxiety caused by his scrupulosity, answered in the affirmative; that, yes, attending Mass (without receiving Holy Communion) were sufficient for being forgiven for mortal sin until the time of his next confession would absolve him from his sins.

We all know that if one is properly disposed, etc, the attendance at Mass effects the forgiveness of venial sin, so we don’t need to get into that – but properly speaking, can this in any way or under any condition be applied to *mortal sins *as well?
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;

I THINK THE GREAT MYSTERIES OF THE CHURCH are the concept of confession and forgivness? if homosexuality and abortion are mortal sins why is there 53% of Catholic bishops and priest still in our church?? after taking part in homosexuality ,and taking part in killing 60 million babies ,did they go to confession and become sinless???to do the right thing ,i think the Pope should Remove all Evil from Roman Catholicism.jack angelo
 
jackangelo said:
;

I THINK THE GREAT MYSTERIES OF THE CHURCH are the concept of confession and forgivness? if homosexuality and abortion are mortal sins why is there 53% of Catholic bishops and priest still in our church?? after taking part in homosexuality ,and taking part in killing 60 million babies ,did they go to confession and become sinless???to do the right thing ,i think the Pope should Remove all Evil from Roman Catholicism.jack angelo
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.can u define what you mean by ‘after killing 60 million babies?’ Thank you.
 
jacobaer said:
Hi fidelis,

Are you sure that it is just attendance at Mass? I thought the Catechism states that the reception of the Eucharist washes away our venial sins (and fortifies us against committing mortal sins).

Peace,
Jacobaer
Click to expand...
You are correct, AFAIK.

Peace,
Dante
 
jackangelo said:
;

I THINK THE GREAT MYSTERIES OF THE CHURCH are the concept of confession and forgivness? if homosexuality and abortion are mortal sins why is there 53% of Catholic bishops and priest still in our church?? after taking part in homosexuality ,and taking part in killing 60 million babies ,did they go to confession and become sinless???to do the right thing ,i think the Pope should Remove all Evil from Roman Catholicism.jack angelo
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Please share with us the source from which you determined that 53% of Catholic bishops are gay abortionists.

Then, share the source that tells you the Pope has the power to remove evil from anything.

Peace,
Dante
 
DanteAlighieri said:
Please share with us the source from which you determined that 53% of Catholic bishops are gay abortionists.

Then, share the source that tells you the Pope has the power to remove evil from anything.

Peace,
Dante
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He probably means defrocking priests/Bishops, as opposed to letting people in mortal sin serve the Church in the priesthood.
 
whatevergirl said:
He probably means defrocking priests/Bishops, as opposed to letting people in mortal sin serve the Church in the priesthood.
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Yeah, but he still needed to be answered thus. 🙂

PS: are you following me?

Peace,
Dante
 
Fidelis said:
I asked this question in the “Ask an Apologist” forum about a month ago, but since I have yet to recieve an answer, I’ll posit it to the rest of youse guys:

A friend of mine states that many years ago when he was suffering a severe bout of scrupulosity, he had occasion to speak by phone to a renowned and popular, but very orthodox, Catholic priest/ theologian (now deceased) about a problem he was having. As I understand it, in the course of conversation he asked this theologian if attending Mass (without receiving Holy Communion) were sufficient for being forgiven for mortal sin until the time of his next confession. The theologian, perhaps attempting to give him a pastoral answer to help relieve the anxiety caused by his scrupulosity, answered in the affirmative; that, yes, attending Mass (without receiving Holy Communion) were sufficient for being forgiven for mortal sin until the time of his next confession would absolve him from his sins.

We all know that if one is properly disposed, etc, the attendance at Mass effects the forgiveness of venial sin, so we don’t need to get into that – but properly speaking, can this in any way or under any condition be applied to *mortal sins *as well?
Click to expand...
Back to the original topic, one could take the very biblical approach that love covers a multitude of sins. Instead of cowering in fear, I think it far better to approach the process of repentance for and healing of serious sin by first of all expressing sorrow out of love for God and neighbor and making a firm resolve to confess and never sin again, and then to pursue a period of penance (prayer, fasting, almsgiving and charity) in anticipation of celebrating the Mystery of Repentance (sacramental confession, known as the “Baptism of Tears” in the Christian East). Attendance at weekday Mass (without receiving) or Divine Office is a marvelous way to work on the process of metanoia - personal conversion of heart and mind, which ultimately is a work of the Holy Spirit in the soul.

That said, should one approach the Chalice when he or she knows that his soul, while likely forgiven by God, is still in need of the remedy of canonical penance and the assurance that comes from the sacrament of mercy? No. Latin Catholics in particular need to recapture the practice of attending liturgy and entering into the worship WITHOUT necessarily receiving the Gifts. To be sure, the power of the Sacrifice is more than sufficient to cover a multitude of sins - serious or not. But one should follow the penitential disciplines of the Church regarding the reception of Holy Communion, and the Catholic discipline is to make a confession when one is conscious of having committed a serious sin.

According to the Russian practice, one does not even approach the Chalice without making a confession, whether or not serious sin is involved! I am not trying to discourage frequent or daily communion, but merely offering a different perspective.

One further point: I think we need to distinguish between the mercy of God which knows no limitation and the celebration and application of mercy in the sacramental mysteries. To cower in fear after sinning - even seriously - is not the posture of a son or a daughter, but of a slave. A person who struggles with scrupulosity needs to face his own doubts concerning the infinite power of the mercy of God, celebrated and actualized in the Mass. Speaking as a former scrupulant, one is always in danger of absolutizing the power of one’s sin (real or perceived), even to the point of presuming to set limits on God’s mercy. This of course is pure nonsense and spiritual delusion (prelest). Over time, as one begins to trust in the Fatherly love of God, one realizes that such fear, especially obsessive fear, is completely groundless.

Not sure if any of this helps, but those are my initial thoughts.

Peace,

Gordo
 
as most people know the Jesuit order of priest are pro-abortion and have been forever, also , many Catholic Colleges ,including Notre Dame ,has a Planned Parenthoold office as part of reproductiuve teaching. i might be a bit short on saying 53% of bishops and priest are homosexual, because in the 50s according to Michael Rose in his novel “Good Bye ,Good Men” homosexuals took over most Seminaries. .
The Pope got rid of no one in the Church sex scandals, in fact promoted two bishops,who are now at the Vatican. Church Laws are clear, Canon Law is clear, Scripture is clear,God is clear on what is sin and who sins. Evil and Evildoers must be Removed from Catholicism by Excommunicating all bishops,priest, Polititions and Laity who AID,ABET,and COUNSEL ,Abortions and\or Homosexuality PERIOD! Jack T
 
jackangelo said:
as most people know the Jesuit order of priest are pro-abortion and have been forever, also , many Catholic Colleges ,including Notre Dame ,has a Planned Parenthoold office as part of reproductiuve teaching. i might be a bit short on saying 53% of bishops and priest are homosexual, because in the 50s according to Michael Rose in his novel “Good Bye ,Good Men” homosexuals took over most Seminaries. .
The Pope got rid of no one in the Church sex scandals, in fact promoted two bishops,who are now at the Vatican. Church Laws are clear, Canon Law is clear, Scripture is clear,God is clear on what is sin and who sins. Evil and Evildoers must be Removed from Catholicism by Excommunicating all bishops,priest, Polititions and Laity who AID,ABET,and COUNSEL ,Abortions and\or Homosexuality PERIOD! Jack T
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Sorry - the relationship of your rant to the topic at hand is…?
 
Dear Jackangelo,
Not sure where you received your Notre Dame info. But, wow, are you 100% incorrect. C’mon…let’s be serious. ND has absolutely NO relationship to a Planned Parenthood. That is crazy!!! I cannot speak for other Catholic colleges, but I cannot imagine any Catholic university being associated with Planned Parenthood…not even the most liberal. …and although Notre Dame is far from the most liberal, there’s still no way any of those other schools would dare to have Planned Parenthood ties.

Check out these websites…it might put your mind at ease regarding our nation’s Catholic universities!!!

nd.edu/~prolife/

chooselife.georgetown.edu/

bc.edu/clubs/pfl/index.cgi

campus.udayton.edu/~pro-life/
 
jackangelo said:
as most people know the Jesuit order of priest are pro-abortion and have been forever, also , many Catholic Colleges ,including Notre Dame ,has a Planned Parenthoold office as part of reproductiuve teaching. i might be a bit short on saying 53% of bishops and priest are homosexual, because in the 50s according to Michael Rose in his novel “Good Bye ,Good Men” homosexuals took over most Seminaries. .
The Pope got rid of no one in the Church sex scandals, in fact promoted two bishops,who are now at the Vatican. Church Laws are clear, Canon Law is clear, Scripture is clear,God is clear on what is sin and who sins. Evil and Evildoers must be Removed from Catholicism by Excommunicating all bishops,priest, Polititions and Laity who AID,ABET,and COUNSEL ,Abortions and\or Homosexuality PERIOD! Jack T
Click to expand...
I attended a Jesuit run high school and university and I can tell you from first hand experience that they are far from being “pro-abortion”.

Also, you are accusing 53% of bishops and priests of being homosexuals based on a novel – a work of FICTION! Get real!!

And since your ND charges have also been disproven, you are batting ZERO in terms of presenting the truth.
 
jackangelo said:
as most people know the Jesuit order of priest are pro-abortion and have been forever, also , many Catholic Colleges ,including Notre Dame ,has a Planned Parenthoold office as part of reproductiuve teaching. i might be a bit short on saying 53% of bishops and priest are homosexual, because in the 50s according to Michael Rose in his novel “Good Bye ,Good Men” homosexuals took over most Seminaries. .
The Pope got rid of no one in the Church sex scandals, in fact promoted two bishops,who are now at the Vatican. Church Laws are clear, Canon Law is clear, Scripture is clear,God is clear on what is sin and who sins. Evil and Evildoers must be Removed from Catholicism by Excommunicating all bishops,priest, Polititions and Laity who AID,ABET,and COUNSEL ,Abortions and\or Homosexuality PERIOD! Jack T
Click to expand...
And in Dan Brown’s novel The DaVinci Code, he reveals that the Church is conspiring to keep the truth about Jesus away from us, and using their Opus Dei hitmen to whack anyone who threatens the status quo.

Credibility?

From what source exactly did you learn that the Jesuits are pro-abortion? They certainly have a somewhat more liberal reputation than other orders, but I’ve never heard that one.

Finally, by what authority do you say the pope “must” do anything?

Peace,
Dante
 
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